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Life IS history in the making. Every word we say, everything we do becomes history the moment it is said or done. Life void of memories leaves nothing but emptiness. For those who might consider history boring, think again: It is who we are, what we do and why we are here. We are certainly individuals in our thoughts and deeds but we all germinated from seeds planted long, long ago.

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

How do I Love Thee

With Valentine's Day February 14, let's examine some history behind this day and what makes it so special. The featured article below is from Micki Peluso, author of ...And the Whippoorwill Sang.

How do I
Love Thee

by Micki
Peluso

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February 14th sometimes signifies the first day of Lent,
depending upon the date of Easter, and is also Admission Day in Arizona. Most
people however, celebrate the day by sending comic or heartfelt Valentines to
family, friends and lovers. People seem to delight in St. Valentine’s Day, as
florists, candy stores, boutiques and card shops do a rallying business
providing heart-shaped novelties of all variety. Chocolate, long known for
having properties that produce a euphoric feeling similar to the bittersweet
emotion of love, seems an appropriate gift for St. Valentine’s Day.

The origin of the holiday is uncertain, but St. Valentine
actually honors two Saints of the same name. One was a Roman priest martyred
during the reign of the Emperor Claudius, the other, a martyred Bishop of Interamna. They were both buried in the Flaminian Way, which was later named
the Gate of St. Valentine. Today the gate is known as Porta Del Popolo — the
Gate of the People. The accounts of these men's lives are legendary, based on
sparse historical fact. It is possible, researchers agree, that the legends
denote different versions of the martyrdom of only one person. St. Valentine’s
Day, as it is known today, is a lovers' Festival, bearing no relation to these
legends.

One theory as to how the name Valentine came to be applied
to the day is founded on the belief in England that birds begin 'dating' on
February 14. Chaucer, in his “Parliament of Foules," says it like this:
“for this was Seynt Valentyne’s day. When every [M1] foul cometh to choose his
mate." Those disagreeing with this claimed that the connection between
lovers and St. Valentine stems from a similarity between the Norman word
“galantin," meaning a lover of woman, and the name of the saint. Still
another theory contends that the lover’s custom dates back to the pagan Roman feast of Lupercalia occurring in mid-February. Young Roman men and women placed
their names in a love urn from which their names were drawn at random. During
the upcoming year, the young man would be the escorts of the women whose names
were matched to their own.

The Christian clergy objected to this pagan custom and
substituted the names of saints. Each person, the clergy hoped would strive to
emulate the saint drawn for them. The drawings were held on February 14, the
feast of St. Valentine. Yet the drawing of names by young people on St.
Valentine's Day continued long after the Christianization of pagan rites had
been abandoned. The boy and girl paired by the drawing adopted the practice of
giving presents to each other. Later the boy only gave to the girl; so started
the custom of sending Valentines to loved ones.

St. Valentine's Day was widely celebrated in WilliamShakespeare's time, as this quote from Hamlet illustrates:

“Good morrow, ‘tis St. Valentine's Day,

All in the
morning betime,

And I am made at
your window,

To be your
Valentine."

Paper Valentines with inscribed sentiments date from the
16th century. The first printed Valentine, issued in 1669, was probably
inspired by “A Valentine Writer”, a book of verses offering help to those not
articulate enough to pen their own rhymes. In England, the introduction of
Penny postage and envelopes in 1840 popularized the exchange of Valentines and
ornamental lace paper Valentines were in great demand. In the U. S., crude
woodcut Valentines were fashioned by Robert H. Elton and Thomas W. Strong of
New York, but most people preferred the lace paper cards imported from England.

With the establishment of the Post Office, the mail became swamped
with Valentines each February. Comic Valentines, as well as coarse vulgar ones,
cost only one cent. In the early 1900s, the Chicago post office rejected 25,000
cards on the grounds that they were improper for mail delivery. By the 1930s
Valentine cards were primarily an activity for small children, who were taught
to make the cards and decorations in kindergarten.

On one particularly gruesome Valentine's Day, the streets
ran red with blood and the message given was not one of love. This notorious
incident was “The St. Valentines Massacre," in Chicago on February 14,
1929. Al Capone’s gang, disguised as policemen, forced seven members of the
rival “Bugs Moran” gang to stand against the garage wall with their arms
raised. Capone’s mobsters methodically gunned the rival gang down.

In recent years, St. Valentine's Day continues to gain
popularity, as lovers and children eagerly await its arrival; perhaps because
it breaks the monotony of the long winter. However, not all people recognize
the holiday. One husband whose name I will not mention, chooses to totally
ignore St. Valentine's Day, even when it falls three days after his wedding
anniversary — but that's another story.

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About Me

Sharla is a graduate of Troy State University and an educator with a flair for writing in poetic verse. Her latest book, Awakenings from Then ’til Now is available from Tate Publishing. It is dedicated to those who laid the foundation and established the platform for our American freedom: those who have served in the past, presently serve, or will serve our military forces in the future. A profound appreciation is extended for the sacrifice of these brave men and women who left or will leave their homes and family to ensure America’s freedom endures.

A grave price is being paid every moment of every day of the year for all the freedom America has to offer. Let us not forget those who have fought or are fighting for our nation; they are the epitome of the human spirit called freedom!